What's the weather like in Chania in April
April is a particularly humid stepping stone from the winter to the summer season.
Temperature
The average temperature goes up to 16°C (61°F), with increasing chances of 33% of sunny days, and up to 8 beautiful hours of sunshine. The nights get shorter, registering temperatures of 11°C, with clear skies and a cool breeze. The high temperature for this month jumps up to 20°C and over towards the end of the month, which, in combination with a decreased 23% chance of rain, makes the weather more and more appealing for a prolonged Chania holiday.
Humidity
Typical for this Mediterranean climate, the humidity fluctuates between a comfortable 43% and a dewy 73%.
Rainfall
April serves up to 7 rainy days scattered across its 30 days, with maybe 32mm of rainfall in volume. The numbers may seem confusing, but the unbalanced humidity to precipitation ratio is perfectly natural for what is the transitional period between Crete's two significant seasons. In fact, April indicates the start of the dry season which will be felt from May onwards.
Clouds
The clouds begin to scatter as well, chances of gloomy days dropping to 15%, thus leaving room for clear blue skies, some white plumes and an abundance of sunshine with 8 hours per day.
Wind
Wind speed is a weak 7 m/s at maximum strength this month, and there are chances of occasional dusty Saharan winds swinging by throughout the third and fourth week.
Average Sea Temperature
The gorgeous Aegean Sea begins to warm up as well, up to 16°C (61°F) on average, as the southern tropical currents begin to slowly shift in the direction of the Greek islands. Like we mentioned before, humidity tends to be pretty high this time of the year, and the moderate presence of wind may be insufficient to ward off some of its less pleasant effects during the peak days. Other than that, the weather just keeps getting better and better.
Chania Hotels for April
Fatma Boutique
As expected, April gets busier than March, thus it's even more recommended that you book your accommodation in advance, if you're planning a holiday in Chania. The small but charming Fatma Boutique offers gorgeous double rooms for £96 per night, complete with a rich continental breakfast and panoramic views.
Palazzo Duca and Kydon Hotel
The classy Palazzo Duca still has rooms available for only £53 per night, while the less popular but absolutely magnificent Kydon Hotel offers splendid doubles for just £63 per night.
Constantinos Studios
For the tighter budgets, Chania never ceases to oblige. Constantinos Studios, for example, offers a range of lovely dorms for £9.07 per night and privates starting at £11.34 per night, at only 20 meters away from the actual hotel.
Seashell Apartments
Seashell Apartments continue to be a big hit amongst backpackers even in April, with privates starting from £6.30 per night.
Kydonia Rooms
The intimate and friendly Kydonia Rooms still has private spaces available, from £7.94 per night. Most of the hostels in the area (both the harbour and the beaches) are fully furnished and have very good Wi-Fi services.
Chania Beaches in April
Unfortunately, the water is not warm enough for bathing, but the air temperatures are higher than in previous months and, most importantly, hanging out by the sea may help dampen the effect of intense humidity during this time of the year. The beaches of Chania are still absolutely breath-taking and well deserving of long walks and picnics.
Iguana Beach
That said, you absolutely must go and explore the extraordinary Iguana Beach (Agioi Apostoli), a gorgeous and sandy stretch split in half by a shady peninsula that keeps the more powerful winds at bay. The shallow entrance and pure crystalline waters complement the softness of the sand, while the peninsula itself harbors a beautiful natural park. On the eastern side, the shoreline gets rocky and glistening with foamy waves it is simply an amazing sight to behold.
Balos Lagoon
But perhaps the undisputed queen amongst all Cretan beaches spreads along the Balos Lagoon, edged by clear turquoise waters, almost white sands that reach from Cape Gramvousa all the way to Cape Tigani. Its outline is nothing but wild and exotic scenery, and the sky just seems to swallow everything as it arches above this little slice of heaven.
Bars and Restaurants
Mercato Agora di Chania
If you're on a budget but still want to experience the authentic Cretan specialties, all you have to do is visit the Mercato Agora di Chania, where you will find fresh and organic produce (locally grown), high quality meats and the freshest fish that the sea has to offer.
Kritamon Wine Bar
In terms of restaurants, we highly recommend the Kritamon Wine Bar, if you're into contemporary Mediterranean food and especially if you're very particular about your wine preferences.
Talos Hotel Restaurant
Another great option is Talos Hotel Restaurant, its tables surrounding a lovely pool and its menu hosting an array of both modern and traditional Greek dishes; it's particularly known for its excellent service and friendly staff.
To Maridaki
If you find yourself exploring the narrow streets of Chania, do stop by the To Maridaki, an intimate but excellent restaurant, best known for its delicious dorada fish and lasagna recipes, as well as its local draught beers.
Splendid
As for the Chania nightlife, the Splendid will not disappoint, with its lush cocktail selection, its great music and wonderful atmosphere, situated right in the heart of the city and open till very late.
Kibar
Kibar gets raving reviews every single time, renowned amongst tourists and locals alike for the high quality of the drinks, the diversity in music styles and the great overall vibe.
Eclipse Club
The sumptuous Eclipse club opens its doors early in April, as a warm up to the upcoming summer season it's best known for its fabulous weekend club nights and its theme parties, and also gets great ratings on the quality of drinks and customer service, so if you're out to have some crazy fun, head on down to Platanias, it's absolutely worth the time!
Things to do in Chania in April
Feast day of Saint George
As the weather cranks up towards higher temperatures, and as the sun shines brighter each week, April sees the beginning of a consistent series of festivities in Chania and all across Western Crete. The first memorable date in any Cretan diary is the 23rd of April, also known as the Feast Day of Saint George, a festival dedicated to shearing sheep. Yes, you read that right. Complete with fresh milk, genuine Cretan wine and local foods served in the Haghios Georgios village on the plateau of Lassithi, and a rich milk and cheese feast organized in Assi Gonia, this plentiful day in April is an interesting (and delicious) insight into the local culture and history.
Religious Festival
The first Tuesday after the Orthodox Easter, at 10 o'clock in the morning, a religious festival takes place in the cave of Agia Sofia, at the Topolia Gorge. It's also an interesting physical challenge, as the church is 300 steps above the main road to Elafonisi. The local parish and villagers of Katsomatado organize this every year, serving traditional food and local wines, free of charge and open for anyone to attend.
Botanical Park of Crete
April is full of sunshine and blossoms; hence it's the perfect time to visit the Botanical Park of Crete, a marvelous array of the colorful and diverse flora of one of the world's most beautiful islands.
Venetian Lighthouse
Don't forget to stop by Chania's Venetian Lighthouse out in the Old Harbour, as it's one of the oldest maritime outposts in the world, and the jewel of this city.
Ancient City of Aptera
Another good place to visit, another testament to Ancient Greece's architectural prowess and durability is the Ancient City of Aptera; legends say that the city was created after the Muses defeated the Sirens in a musical competition held in the Temple of the Muses. Aptera means "wingless", where the defeated Sirens simply lost their white feathers, which landed into the sea and formed today's white islands of Souda Bay.
